6.20.2013

HOW DO YOU FOLLOW ALONG??

Well the time is coming... you know that time where GFC (Google Friend Connect) is supposed to be disappearing. Do I think it will? I honestly have no idea... but what I do know though is, if it does disappear you don't want to loose all those fabulous blogs you are following right?? So let's talk about the alternative options for following a blog shall we?

My new favorite... I absolutely love it. It is easy, fast, and simple. Managing blogs you follow is incredibly easy, organizing your subscriptions is super easy, and they even have a fabulous app (at least for iPhones) that allows you to keep up with all your blogs on the go! I love the app actually, it is the only one that remembers my log-in information so I can comment on blogs through my phone! Plus they make it super EASY to import all your current subscriptions from Google Friend Connect.

You can find me on Blog Lovin' HERE!


EMAIL
Not so much a blog reader but you have your few favorites you want to keep up with? Or you just want to make things incredibly easy and can't stand the thought of missing a single post? Email is the way to go. You can have each post sent directly to your email each day! How convenient right??


Okay I'll be honest here, I don't know much about it. I have heard a bit here and there and am incredibly interested to look into it. I hear it is fabulous (even better than Bloglovin' actually!!) So I think looking into it might be on my list of things to do this week sometime.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Oh you know... Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (my favorite!!!) A super easy way to keep up with each post everyday. I know personally, I put each post everyday up on all my favorite social media sites so you'll always be able to see the newest posts. Sometimes it is the easiest way for me to keep up with my favorite blogs. Won't lie!


6.19.2013

FOOD STUFF // TINGA... THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD EVER

We spent a few years attending church in a highly populated Mexican community, meetings were in Spanish and church activities were full of delicious spicy Mexican dishes that we came to absolutely LOVE! One of my good friends from the branch always brought this deliciousness and I came to seriously look forward to it... Tinga. It is now my all time favorite Mexican dish... hands down!


It is simple as pie to make (although I don't think pie is very easy to make... just saying) and absolutely to die for. It can be eaten plain on a tostada, in a tortilla, or one of my favorite ways... in a casadilla with cheese (and butter on the outside of the tortilla... makes it nice and crispy... oh my mouth is watering!) Shall we begin?

INGREDIENTS
Chicken (1 whole roaster, cooked and taken off the bone)
1 Large Onion
1 Can of Adobe Chili Peppers
Chicken broth or bullion
1 Large can of diced tomatoes (I know I have crushed here... and they have basil in them... but that's what I had on hand and it turned out just fine! Delicious as always!)


DIRECTIONS
Begin by taking all the chicken that has been previously cooked off the bone. I like to use an entire roaster so there is a nice mix of white meat and dark meat. However, you can use whatever you have on hand... just thighs make excellent tinga as well!


Take all the chicken and shred it. The easiest way to accomplish this is using your hands. Shredding it gives you long thing pieces of chicken allowing it to clump together like pulled pork, much better than dicing it promise. Once your chicken is shredded, set it to the side.


Time for the onion! Cut your onion into nice thin strips so it matches the shape of the chicken. The onion and chicken mix nicely when cut into strips allowing everything to mix together for some superb flavor!


Start by pouring a few tablespoons of oil into the bottom of a large frying pan and sauteing your onion. Keep cooking that deliciously smelly thing until it is pretty translucent. Once it has reached a wilted translucent state, dump the tomatoes in. If you use crushed tomatoes, you won't need any additional liquid but I would recommend adding a bullion cube for some flavor. If you use diced tomatoes, you might want to add about a cup of chicken broth (or bullion!) to the mixture, this time for both liquid and flavor.


You'll want to continue to cook this mixture until the oil starts to separate and rise to the top of the pan. It won't take long really, just until everything is nice and hot. When you're ready, dump in the chicken and mix everything together so the chicken can start soaking in all those delicious tomatoe-y onion-y juices!


When everything is mixed, add in a few teaspoons of the SAUCE ONLY from the adobe peppers. In all reality, you can add as much as you want. I typically add about 6-7 teaspoons. That keeps the spiciness to a minimum, allowing Christopher to still eat it. You can however blended a few peppers with some chicken broth and then add it to the chicken mixture. This is going to seriously amp up the spice as well as the flavor though! So experiment... get the spiciness level right where you want it. Just remember... once you add it in, you can't take it out!


Let everything simmer together for approximately 15-20 minutes until the chicken is turning a nice red color and the smells are teasing you so badly you just can't wait another minute to eat!!


As I sad before, tinga can be eaten a number of ways. The simplest way to eat it is piled up onto a tostada (like these!) Mexican's don't put cheese on it... although American's tend to add cheese so totally your call. My favorite way is to make quesadillas out of it. This is an excellent option if you happen to have added too much spice... the cheese and tortilla can tone down the spice a bit.


However you eat it, enjoy it!! It is a unique flavor for sure... and one of my very very favorites!!

6.18.2013

CLASSY AND FABUOUS... COMFORT ZONE EDITION WITH SO KATE

I don't know if you've noticed but I kind of wear different variations of the same thing pretty much everyday. It usually revolves around some kind of t-shirt, pants, flip flops now that it is summer, and some fabulous accessories. I challenged myself to get out of that box when I impulsively bought these shoes. Since I was on a roll, I selected a few things from this fabulous little boutique, So Kate, that I really absolutely love.

I decided the perfect time to try this new look for myself was this weekend for date night. On the way to the airport to pick up my husband, I called my mom and immediately said... I'm wearing heels and I'm calling you so you can convince me to keep them on. (I totally had my trusty flip flops on the seat next to me... you know... just in case!) I proceeded to tell her that they were amazing shoes but they made me Amazonian-woman-tall. (Sidebar... I'm normally tall. Like 5'-9-1/2". But with these babies on I swear I was close to 6'.) I told her that not only did I love the shoes, but the whole outfit! I was loving the shirt and the necklaces. I loved how different and "dressed up" I felt compared to what I normally wore. (I know in reality I wasn't that dressed up... baby steps here baby steps.) But I still wasn't "comfortable" I guess.


She gave me the best advice. She told me not to let it be the topic of conversation for the night, not to even bring it up. Wear the outfit like it was a normal thing, nothing out of the ordinary. If Jonathan comments, just smile and say something like, "Oh you like the shoes? Thanks!" or "You like this gorgeous shirt? Thanks!" Just own it!

shirt: c/o so kate // shirt: h&m // pants: h&m // necklace: c/o so kate and urban outfitters // shoes: target

I realized as the night progressed that by not talking about it, the uncomfortableness that originally was there, was gone. It felt normal... no... it felt FABULOUS! I absolutely loved it! I felt like a million bucks. And I loved it. I loved wearing the heels. I loved the absolutely gorgeous shirt. I adore the necklace (especially layered!!) And you know what? There was absolutely zero awkwardness or uneasiness. I WORE that outfit and guess what... I'm totally going to wear it again!!!

So thank you Mom... and Target... and So Kate... you guys totally and completely rock my world!




6.17.2013

SOME THOUGHTS ON FATHER'S DAY... AT THE SHORE!

I've been trying for the past day or so to try and put my thoughts into words but I can't seem to get there. I'm going to try my very best though...

Father's Day... what an interesting day I tell you. As a child it was that one day where Dad got to call all the shots, he got to decided what we had for dinner and what game we played. It was the day we all gave him something a little special and a special hug. Now though, as an adult, with my own children and married to the father of my children, it has taken on a whole different meaning.

Through the years, I have come to realize what it takes to be a good father. I can express nothing but gratitude and love for my own father. He taught me what a good father is all about. He showed me through his example what a father should do and what a father is responsible for. His example is what helped me to realize what I was looking for when searching for the father of my future children. I never realized it though. I never realized the example that was set for me, the standard that was established. I didn't realize either that subconsciously I found those very same characteristics in the man who is now the father of my precious babies.


I watched yesterday though, Father's Day, with my heart full of love and gratitude for the man I can proudly say is my eternal companion and father of our children. He is a wonderful example of a father. There is nothing like seeing the man you love with all your heart being that father you've hoped for to your children. You think you love him with all your heart until you see him digging in the sand with your two year old or carrying a 35 pound toddler and a stroller across the sandy beach so you can console your very tired baby girl... then a love begins that is nothing like anything you've experienced. A different love that makes your marriage and family complete. How grateful I am for the relationship, the love, and the support that comes from being married to a man who is an incredible father.

So today, a day late, I have come to realize why Father's Day is such an incredible holiday. Next year... next year we'll be ready for it!


This post is part of a promotion with FamilySearch.

Linking up with Annapolis & Company and Jellibean Journals.

6.14.2013

KIMONOS... MY NEW SUMMER OBSESSION // FALLING FOR FRIDAY

Summer is in full swing and I am in need of the perfect "something" to replace my winter wardrobe necessity, the cardigan. I've seen these fabulous kimonos all over lately and am LOVING them as the perfect light and airy accessory for the summer. Sounds like an impeccable replacement for me, right??

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Plus, who wouldn't love something with these patterns? I mean look at the gorgeous colors, patterns, and TASSELS! AH! How I love tassels... Can't you just see these thrown on over a swimsuit headed to the beach, or paired with a simple over sized white t-shirt and a pair of skinnies, or even with a long maxi or pair of cut offs? What can I say... the perfect summer must have I've decided.

Which one is your favorite? Would you wear one of these kimonos?

and now... you're turn!! What have you been obsessing over this week?


Rules of the Road
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We just don't want you to miss any of the goodness!!

Kelly at Westover Manor
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Co-host... this could be you!! Email me at dawnellesarlo AT gmail DOT com!

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3. Lets make it a party! Click around and visit 2-3 other blogs!
Be sure to let them know you stopped by.
Let's make some new friends!
Because, really... who doesn't love a new blog friend, right?!

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The larger the party the more fun for everyone!!!

DEAR MS ALI GIRL // HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Oh Ali dear, how I miss you! You are an incredible friend, fabulous sister, special aunt, and a beautiful lady. You always know just what to say to bring a smile to my face. You are always up for something fun. You are always willing to be such a help with my babies. Pretty much I just love it all! 

You've grown into such a beautiful fabulous and fun lady... I just know you are going to have an absolutely marvelous birthday my sister. So here's to you... Happy 19th Birthday sweet thang!!!


6.13.2013

DEAR CHRISTOPHER // A LETTER TO MY BOY

We spent the afternoon washing the car the other day. As I sat there watching you play with the water and soap, I realized... you aren't a baby anymore. You are turning into a little boy right before my very eyes. A little boy with an imagination, an opinion, a hilarious sense of humor, and some serious willpower, independence and determination.


I'm not particularly sad about it though. Honestly I am absolutely loving watching you grow. I love watching you learn and discover. I love that you have your own opinions and thoughts about things. I love that you want to be independent (well usually I like that part.) I love that you can talk more and want to tell me all about any and everything. I love that you want to show me all your treasures and things you find (even if it is a live spider or booger... both of which have been handed to me in the past week.) It is absolutely amazing to me how much you have learned and blossomed over the past few weeks

You are so stinking silly too. You like to do this thing when you see me looking right at you... you look right smack into my eyeballs and get this little glimmer in your eyes. You keep eye contact with me, slowing raise your shoulders, grin from ear to ear, and move your head towards mine until our foreheads are touching. Then you laughs hysterically and pull away. It is almost as if you are peering into the depths of my soul... or you are just fascinated with discovering that eyes are used for seeing things.

Your determination and willpower though are going to be the death of me. I am serious. You are more determined than anyone I have ever met. You will wait... and watch... and plan... and scheme until just the right moment to do whatever it is you want to do and know you shouldn't be doing. For example, as I take Mikah up for a nap, you sit on the sofa playing and watching Tangled (your current favorite), wave "night-night" to your sister, and watch me walk up the stairs. The moment I'm out of sight, you jump up, grab the car keys, and take off out the back door to play in the car. Talk about frustrating! You won't give up either. Doesn't matter where those keys go, you find them! (You're a tad obsessed with cars... okay SERIOUSLY obsessed!!)


But you are my boy and I love you oh so dearly. You keep me on my toes but bring me such happiness that can't be explained when your little arms wrap tight around my neck or your little face lights up when you see me and exclaim, "MAMA!" Goodness you sure know how to melt my heart little one.


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